From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities

A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis

Sometimes, we need a vacation. We need relief from painful stressors. We need a breather. To recuperate our energy and optimism, we need to change locations, activities, and mindsets.

If your child struggles with reading, should you and his school give him a vacation from reading? The answer is found in answers to questions like those below.

The Questions

  • Does reading usually frustrate your child?
  • Does reading emotionally drain or anger him?
  • Is his distaste for reading and school surging?
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From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities

A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis

For your children to succeed in and out of school, they need strong listening and speaking vocabularies. If they have difficulty understanding the meaning of words, they’ll have difficulty understanding what they hear. When reading, they’ll have difficulty recognizing and understanding words they see. Schools alone cannot adequately strengthen children’s vocabularies. As a parent, you need to help. The good news is that you can often do a great deal to help your children develop strong vocabularies. Three keys are to make vocabulary learning fun, relevant, and ongoing.

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Free Podcast

How Occupational Therapy Can

Help Children Achieve Their Potential

Susan Orloff, OTR/L

Author of Learning Re-enabled

 

 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/specialneedstalkradio/2011/10/25/maximizing-your-childs-potential

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Interview: Teaching Writing to Struggling Readers

From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities

A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis

Linda Aragoni’s Interview of Howard Margolis

Reading Disabilities: Beating the Odds was named one of 2010′s three best books about education by PsychologyToday.com. The book blends the reading and special education expertise of author Howard Margolis, Ed.D., with the educational psychology expertise of Gary G. Brannigan, Ph.D.

Although written for parents of children with reading or other learning disabilities, the book is one I recommend to writing teachers. As the sticky notes in my copy shown above attest, the book is one that gave me new insights into the reading-writing connection.

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Overcoming Problems of Reading Fluency

Dr. Tim Rasinski of Kent State University

Monday, October 17, 2011, 9 – 9:30 PM EST

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From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities

A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis

Parents, teachers, administrators, and politicians often demand the best reading method. Nothing less will do. So, of the hundreds of reading methods, which is best?

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From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities

A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis

To listen to Dr. Selznick’s podcast on helping the Shut-Down Learner, go to

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/special-needs-talk-radio-blog/id463238657#

Or go to

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/specialneedstalkradio/2011/09/27/maximizing-your-childs-potential

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The Special Needs Talk Radio Network: It’s On The Air

The new Special Needs Talk Radio network (http://specialneedstalkradio.com/) is on the air. Each of its six shows is dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth with special needs and their families.

Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and I host Maximizing Your Child’s Potential (Mondays, 9 PM – 9:30 PM EST, http://specialneedstalkradio.com/maximizing-your-childs-potential).

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From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities

A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis

Three common curriculum gaps that can intensify children’s reading problems are failing to teach them phonological awareness, automatic word recognition, and an alternative to single letter phonics.

Teach Phonological Awareness. This is the ability to identify and manipulate sounds within spoken words. For example, say the word bat without the /b/ sound. Unfortunately, may struggling readers struggle with phonological awareness. To develop proficiency, they need instruction.

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From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities
A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis
In an enormously insightful book for teachers, school psychologists, and reading specialists, Jack M. Fletcher and his colleagues (2007) have identified 10 principles of instruction for students with learning disabilities (LD). These principles hold for any student who, despite quality instruction in general education classes, struggles with reading, writing, or mathematics. They can be enormously helpful for parents who want to increase the odds that their child’s IEP or remedial program remediates his problems. Here are three of the principles:
  • Increase time on task. Interventions for students with LDs should supplement instructional opportunities, not supplant them. (p. 272)
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From Reading & Other Learning Disabilities

A Blog by Dr. Gary G. Brannigan and Dr. Howard Margolis

It’s September. Your child is starting to struggle with reading. How long should you wait to get help? Should you wait until November, December, January? After all, his teacher needs a chance to help him. Will it pass if you just show patience and encourage him to do better?

Our Response

Usually, it won’t pass, so don’t wait. Make a formal request to the school to evaluate his reading and related needs and to provide whatever services he needs to become a successful reader. A good evaluation, supported by quality resources, should help your child and his teacher.

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